Lessons of the Schuylkill

 

Schuylkill River Greenways offers several FREE educational programs which provide an opportunity for student and community groups to learn about the Schuylkill River Watershed, watershed threats and protection, and other environmental education lessons such as birding, native plant and tree identification, and water quality testing.

Under the direction of SRG Education staff, participants foster an appreciation for nature and an understanding of how positive changes in personal behavior has positive changes on the environment.

Schuylkill Explorers

Learn about the watershed through environmental activities such as birding, native plant identification, and water demonstrations. Program lessons are dependent on learning goals and age range.

Lessons can be conducted outside of our Pottstown site. This option is available to student and community groups located within the Schuylkill River Heritage Area/watershed. Reserve a date and the Schuylkill Explorers program will come to your group location. If you’re not sure your group location is within the heritage area then click the button below.

Heritage Area Map
Schedule a Group Visit to Our Pottstown Site

Available April - October, Monday-Friday

Explore the Schuylkill River Trail, learn about the Schuylkill River’s history and environment, and develop an awareness of watershed protection. Group visits will include a tour of our River of Revolutions Interpretive Center, a guided walk along the Pottstown RiverWalk and Schuylkill River Trail and an experiment, nature craft, or other activity depending on learning goals and age range.

  • Best for ages 7
  • Group size - up to 30 people
  • Group visit times vary from 1 hour to 2.5 hours

To learn more about Schuylkill Education Programs or to schedule a group visit please contact Ayashe Ramey at 484-945-0200 or aramey@schuylkillriver.org

Schuylkill Explorers Can Come to You

Year Round, Monday-Friday

Students will learn what a watershed is and how it functions. Lesson includes Schuylkill River Watershed map review and interactive activity that demonstrates how land use and storm water runoff contribute to water pollution. Lessons can also include native plant and tree identification indoors or outdoors.

  • Best for grades 1st - 8th
  • Can accommodate standard classroom sizes and multiple classrooms in one visit
  • Can include outdoor excursion dependent on location and time of year
  • Time frame flexible per group objectives and availability, usually a minimum of 30 minutes

To learn more about Schuylkill Education Programs or to schedule a group visit please contact Ayashe Ramey at 484-945-0200 or aramey@schuylkillriver.org

Learn About the Water Quality of the Schuylkill River Watershed

Available May-September, Monday-Friday

Group visits will include a tour of our River of Revolutions Interpretive Center, a guided walk along the Pottstown RiverWalk and Schuylkill River Trail and a water quality and/or macro-invertebrate testing activity in the Manatawny Creek and/or Schuylkill River.

  • Best for ages 13+
  • Group size – up to 30 people
  • Group visit times vary from 2 hours to 3.5 hours

To learn more about Schuylkill Education Programs or to schedule a group visit please contact Ayashe Ramey, Education Director, at 484-945-0200 or aramey@schuylkillriver.org

Music Video

Stay Active

Stay Active was created through a partnership between Schuylkill River Greenways NHA, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, the STRIVE Initiative, and Centro Cultural Latinos Unidos. The video features students in the Schuylkill Explorers program who helped write the lyrics while visiting Riverfront Park in Pottstown, Hopewell Furnace and French Creek State Park. They engaged in a variety of activities that cultivate a love of nature and outdoor exploration including nature art, birding, fishing, and plant identification.This program, funded by the National Park Service, encouraged youth to explore their local natural resources and nearby national park.